I finally did it. I attempted my mother's mashed potato recipe. As with every other recipe of hers that I attempt to replicate, it didn't taste quite the way it does when she makes it. It's that magic Mom Touch that she has. It turned out great, though. And it was way simpler than I imagined it to be. I wish I had tried it ten years ago!

If you are looking for a simple, DELICIOUS mashed potato recipe, you don't have to look any further! One thing my mom told me about her recipe is that it is important to use red potatoes. They offer a softness and flavor that is hard to find in any other type of potato.

Wash 4-5 medium-sized potatoes and cut them into cubes.

Quarter three cloves of garlic.

Place the potato cubes and the garlic into a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Drain.

Add the potatoes and garlic to a large mixing bowl, along with 1 stick of butter and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Mash with a potato masher. Now, I personally love the texture and flavor that the potato skins add, so I left them on. If you prefer a smoother, skinless mashed potato, peel the skins before cooking them and use an electric hand mixer at this point.

Add a few tablespoons of milk, but not much more than that. Too much milk makes mashed potatoes mushy! I also added an additional 2 tablespoons of butter at the end and about 2 ounces of cream cheese. And I did more mashing.

They turned out just right.

Mmmmmm. Thank you, Mom!

Mom's Mashed Potatoes

My mother's totally swoonable mashed potato recipe.

Serves: 6

Total time:30 min

Ingredients:

6 medium red potatoes, cubed

3 cloves garlic, quartered

1/2 cup butter

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons milk

Additional butter, as needed (2-4 approximately tablespoons)

2 oz. cream cheese

Instructions:

Place potatoes and garlic into a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. Drain.

Pour the potatoes and garlic into a large mixing bowl. Add butter, salt and pepper. Mash with a potato masher. Add milk, additional butter and cream cheese. Mash more. Serve warm with butter.